I was just enjoying October too.
In October I felt like I had ample time to prepare for the upcoming event, which I think is OK to mention by name now and unlikely to offend.
I have one month to get a grip…. get organised, get baking, making, crafting…..go shopping and go shopping again for the items I dithered over, forgot or just couldn’t find.
I plan (in my mind at least) to get everything done in November so we have a calm, ordered December. I already know it won’t be – I don’t even know what we are doing or where we will be going this Christmas. Most of our family plans have to revolve around mum. In the years since her mobility is almost zero she has Christmas at my sister’s house (as she lives the closest to her) and most years the wider family of about eleven join her, but this makes it a big catering problem for her if we all descend.
With many of the family moving house or still to move or still to sort boxes from moving I am not sure what the Christmas arrangements might be. So until we know more I will turn my attentions to the things I want to make.
I have made a start. I bought a few crafting bits and pieces from Boyes at the weekend that I will might (possibly) turn into something for the Crisis charity craft stall in 3 weeks time. I picked up this printed card for free out of their cardboard packaging recycle bin. It seemed too good to throw out, though the shelf stacker did think me odd asking if I could take it! I am sure it will be useful for something.
Now Halloween is out of the way I can really concentrate on all the ideas I have had for making cards and gifts for Christmas, though the extent of my ideas will be more than I have time to make them.
Trick or Treat night went down well – I made some little treat bags to hand out to the early birds and thankfully we had just handed out the last of them before we had to rush off to see the murder mystery play I had booked for at a local village hall – A Prescription for Murder. The play was excellent and we were kept guessing all the way through to the end. Of course we knew there would be a twist but you never quite know what.
The pumpkins and lanterns are all put away now for next year and everywhere the poppies are appearing. We were in Yarm on Saturday seeing my mum and the local knitters have excelled with lamposts and bollards covered in wonderful red poppies.
It was a beautiful dry autumn day and the sun shone (an added bonus) and always helpful when we have to push mum in the wheelchair to the park. She had her usual sandwich, chocolate muffin and cappuccino…her appetite is good for her age, she can eat more than I do. On each visit we try and solve a problem for her, the bedside lamp needed replacing recently, then the control for the electric blanket and this time it was the ‘glow’ bulbs in the electric fire that had gone. She was adamant that the fire was not on because there was no glow and I could not persuade her otherwise. Thankfully, we were able to get replacement bulbs in Yarm and fitted them for her before we left. I wonder what will need sorting next time!
This all may be a bit of a waffle tonight, it has been a full on few days with a few late nights, (tonight being one of them) when I almost turn into a pumpkin myself.
Back soon, have a good week and thank you for all your comments on the previous posts- I love to have a little chat with you. x
wherethejourneytakesme2.blog 
I skipped Halloween this year. No little ones anymore. I gave my decorations to a colleague who has little boys who were so excited to get them. My colleague less so. They had brought years of joy but I am glad to have decluttered the space.
I am spending four weeks with my mum to take the pressure off my sister who has been doing all the care – shopping, medical appointments, twice weekly visits, daily calls. As with your mum, there’s always things to do. Every day has been a task/problem.
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I’m doing well on my gift shopping, to be fair most of the older grandchildren get money, it’s hard to keep up with their likes and often they are way over our budget. My pumpkins will stay out a bit longer, I made an autumnal display, so they can stay through November, just the two in my kitchen will be packed away, they are china. Marlene Poppypatchwork.
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That starry red card is a beautiful find. Plans all a bit fluid round here too because of family housemoves. I did make my cake last week though [cant waste oven space, so did Best Beloveds Birthday Cake and Xmas cake at same time]
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The trick or treat bags look amazing and I love that post box topper.
I have never, ever known plans for Christmas that stayed in the same shape from the end of November to New Year. There’s always something!
It’s hard when there’s always something to do when you visit and you can’t catch up with the gossip. Sending hugs.
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The trick-or-treat bags look fantastic. What a great idea! I should probably get round to taking down my Halloween decorations. Maybe after tonight.
It’s always a good idea to look ahead to Christmas, although, I’m always half anticipating any plans changing before then. It’ll be a quiet one for us this year, but we usually focus on activities throughout the month, rather than the one day. It works better for us. Xx
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I think we end up doing both – all the events my daughters can fit in plus our Not so Secret Santa present swap before Christmas and the actual gathering on Christmas Day…no wonder I am exhausted just thinking about it! xx
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Glad to see you back here. I think I have about 6 weeks to enjoy catching up with you. I am hoping to get things sorted for Christmas by the end of November but we will see.
It was lovely to see all those knitted poppies. They make a lovely display for everyone to enjoy. The Halloween post box toppers also look really good too.
The murder mystery sounds like it was a good event. We have just bought tickets for the Midsommer Murder play, which is in March next year and I am really looking forward to that.
Hope the week treats you well.
Beverley from Back2oursmallcorner
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I too intend to be organised again this year. Last year was one of the few times I’ve been totally ready before the big event and I was so thankful because we all came down with a virus. I was so glad that everything was done so I’m hoping I can do that again this year, no bugs though please, haha. I hope you get your arrangements firmed up soon so that you know what you’re working towards. Thank you for giving the link to the post about your daughter’s wedding in your comment on my blog, what a wonderful day you all must have had. Masham is such a lovely place, how lovely that she lived there.
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